A group of 32 charities and community groups, including Terrence Higgins Trust, National AIDS Trust, PrEPster and Stonewall, have come together to demand NHS England and local authority commissioners ensure pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is routinely available in sexual health clinics by 1 April 2019 ‘at the latest’.

A large-scale PrEP trial is currently taking place providing access to 10,000 people over three years.

However, within just eight months of this three-year trial, around 8,000 places have already been filled. A number of clinics have now closed any further recruitment of gay and bisexual men, who form one of the most at-risk groups of HIV transmission.

In June 2018, NHS England announced it’s considering adding a further 3,000 places to the trial.

While welcome, according to the statement, ‘it only provides temporary relief. With continuing high demand for PrEP,’ it continues, ‘clinics will again be full and turning people away within a few months.’

The group also calls out ‘a clear equalities deficit’ within the PrEP Impact Trial, citing ‘limited efforts’ to engage the likes of trans people and BAME communities.

According to the group, which includes LGBT Foundation, George House Trust and London Friend, ‘a national PrEP programme will not only meet actual need but also provide welcome assurance to those currently accessing PrEP through the IMPACT trial that they will be able to continue to access PrEP once the trial ends.

‘Both NHS England and local authority commissioners should agree and disseminate as soon as possible a timetabled roadmap of the necessary decision-making process.

‘In the meantime a solution must be found to mean no one in need of PrEP is turned away.’

The statement suggests that ‘there is nothing to prevent the trial continuing even while, in parallel, routine provision of PrEP begins.’

Continuing, it explains: ‘The trial is asking valuable questions and both interim analysis later in 2018 and then further results can inform ongoing planning decisions.’

Metro, NAZ and the African Advocacy Foundation also co-signed the statement, which closes by reiterating ‘NHS England must honour its commitment to commission PrEP in a national programme. The trial was never proposed by NHS England as a means to only partially meet need.

‘PrEP has to be planned by NHS England and local authorities working collaboratively.

‘It will be as important for local authorities to plan the PrEP service to ensure it is integrated with other vital prevention and testing efforts, and is promoted to all those at risk of HIV, whether gay and bisexual men, trans people, BAME communities, women or heterosexual men.’

Matthew Riley, 25, has been taking PrEP via NHS England’s IMPACT trial for six months. He said: ‘I started PrEP after doing a lot of research. It gives me control over my sexual health and gets rid of the shadow that HIV, as a gay man, cast over my sex life. Being more comfortable with yourself and your health essentially means healthier, better sex.

‘Financially, I wouldn’t have been able to buy PrEP for myself because I just don’t have the disposable income. Without the PrEP trial I wouldn’t have been able to access PrEP and it’s awful that other people, just like me, are being turned away.’

Ian Green, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: ‘We have been clear that a 10,000 place trial was never going to accurately meet demand for PrEP – a highly effective way of preventing HIV. We know that some trial sites are full, some are yet to open and that eligible people are now being turned away.

‘There is a clear moral, political and economic rationale for providing PrEP on our NHS to those who need it and that’s why a routine programme for PrEP on the NHS must happen as a matter of urgency.’

Notes to editors

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PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) prevents people getting HIV and is almost 100% effective when taken as prescribed.

It provides protection to the many people who continue to be vulnerable to HIV, both in the UK and around the world. The drug has been proven to be cost-effective when measured against the cost of lifelong HIV treatment and care.

About NAT

NAT (National AIDS Trust) is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. We provide fresh thinking, expertise and practical resources. We champion the rights of people living with HIV and campaign for change.

Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.

About Terrence Higgins Trust

Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, offering support, information and advice services for those living with HIV and affected by HIV or poor sexual health.

Our vision is a world where people with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination, and good sexual health is a right and reality for all.

About PrEPster

PrEPster is a grass-roots project that seeks to educate and agitate for PrEP in England and beyond. Founded in October 2015, PrEPster has been at the forefront of educating key communities about PrEP.